Selective high schools are specifically designed to provide optimal learning conditions that will make a difference in supporting the development of academic talent and the wellbeing of high potential and gifted students.
These schools help students learn by grouping them with students of similar ability and by using specialised evidence-based teaching methods to allow students to move through curricula at a faster pace and explore concepts in greater depth and with greater complexity.
Research demonstrates that, in addition to providing academic benefits, grouping high potential and gifted students together is also good for students’ emotional wellbeing. Most students in selective high schools report higher levels of satisfaction from learning with, and being friends with, like-minded students.
Fully selective high schools – coeducational
| School | Location and website | Number of places |
|---|---|---|
| Baulkham Hills High School | Windsor Road, Baulkham Hills 2153baulkham-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 180 |
| Caringbah High School | Willarong Road, Caringbah 2229caringbah-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 150 |
| Fort Street High School | Parramatta Road, Petersham 2049fortstreet.nsw.edu.auExternal link | 150 |
| Girraween High School | Gilba Road, Girraween 2145girraween-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 120 |
| Gosford High School | Racecourse Road, Gosford 2250gosford-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 180 |
| Manly CampusNorthern Beaches Secondary College | Abbott Road, North Curl Curl 2099nbscmanlys-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 120 |
| Merewether High School | Chatham Street, Broadmeadow 2292merewether-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 180 |
| Penrith High School | High Street, Penrith 2750penrith-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 150 |
| Smiths Hill High School | Gipps Street, Wollongong 2500smithshill-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 120 |
Fully selective high schools – male
| School | Location and website | Number of places |
|---|---|---|
| Normanhurst Boys High School | Pennant Hills Road, Normanhurst 2076normanhurstboys.nsw.edu.auExternal link | 120 |
| North Sydney Boys High School | Falcon Street, Crows Nest 2065northsydbo-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 150 |
| Sydney Boys High School | Cleveland Street, Moore Park, Surry Hills 2021sydneyboyshigh.comExternal link | 180 |
| Sydney Technical High School | Forest Road, Bexley 2207sydneytech-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 150 |
Fully selective high schools – female
| School | Location and website | Number of places |
|---|---|---|
| Hornsby Girls High School | Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby 2077hornsbygir-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 120 |
| North Sydney Girls High School | Pacific Highway, Crows Nest 2065northsydgi-h.schools.nsw.edu.auExternal link | 150 |
| St George Girls High School | Victoria Street, Kogarah 2217sgghs.com.auExternal link | 150 |
| Sydney Girls High School | Anzac Parade, Surry Hills 2010https://sydneygirl-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/External link | 150 |
Partially selective high schools
| School | Location and website | Number of places |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria Park Community School* | Park Road, Alexandria 2015alexparkcs-c.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
| Armidale Secondary College | Crest Road, Armidale 2350armidale-s.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
| Auburn Girls High School | Hunter Street and Braemar Ave, Auburn 2144https://auburng-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/External link | 30 |
| Balmain Campus*Sydney Secondary College (Years 7 to 10) | Terry Street, Rozelle 2039balmain-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 60 |
| Blacktown Boys High School | Sunnyholt Road & Fifth Ave, Blacktown 2148blacktownb-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
| Blacktown Girls High School | Fifth Avenue, Blacktown 2148blacktowng-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
| Blackwattle Bay Campus*Sydney Secondary College (Years 11 to12) | Taylor St, Glebe 2037sscbwattle-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | n/a |
| Bonnyrigg High School | Elizabeth Drive, Bonnyrigg 2177bonnyrigg-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 60 |
| Chatswood High School | Centennial Avenue, Chatswood 2067https://chatswood-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/External link | 60 |
| Elizabeth Macarthur High School | Waterworth Drive, Narellan Vale 2567elizabeth-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 60 |
| Gorokan High School | Goobarabah Ave, Gorokan 2263gorokan-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
| Grafton High School | Oliver & Mary Streets, Grafton 2460grafton-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
| Granville Boys High School | 14 Mary Street, Granville 2142granvilleb-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
| Karabar High School | Donald Road, Queanbeyan 2620karabar-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
| Kooringal High School | Ziegler Avenue, Kooringal 2650kooringal-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
| Leichhardt Campus*Sydney Secondary College (Years 7 to 10) | Balmain Road, Leichhardt 2040leichhardt-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 60 |
| Macquarie Fields High School | Harold Street, Macquarie Fields 2564macfields-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 90 |
| Moorebank High School | Bangalow Avenue, Moorebank 2170moorebank-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 60 |
| Parramatta High School | Great Western Hwy & Pitt St, Parramatta 2150parramatta-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 60 |
| Peel High School | Gunnedah Road, Tamworth 2340peel-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
| Prairiewood High School | Prairie Vale Road, Wetherill Park 2164prairiewoo-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 60 |
| Richmond High School -Richmond Agricultural College*(Dual campus delivery) | richmond-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/External linkandrichmondagcollege-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
| Rose Bay Secondary College* | Hardy Street, Dover Heights 2030rosebay-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 60 |
| Ryde Secondary College | Malvina Street, Ryde 2112https://rydesc-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/External link | 60 |
| Sefton High School | Hector Street, Sefton 2162sefton-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 88 |
| Tempe High School* | Unwins Bridge Road, Tempe 2044tempe-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 60 |
*Alexandria Park, Rose Bay and Tempe have targeted places available for Aboriginal students.
Richmond Agricultural College operates across two campuses: Richmond High School and Richmond Agricultural College Centre of Excellence, Vines Drive Western Sydney University Hawkesbury Campus. Students in the selective stream must study agriculture
Sydney Secondary College Balmain and Leichhardt campuses offer places in Years 7 to 10. Students from these campuses will generally proceed to Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay Campus for Years 11 and 12.
Agricultural high school – day places only coeducational
| School | Location and website | Number of places |
|---|---|---|
| James Ruse Agricultural High School | 17–31 Felton Road, Carlingford 2118jamesruse-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 120 |
Agricultural high school – boarder places only coeducational
| School | Location and website | Number of places |
|---|---|---|
| Yanco Agricultural High SchoolFemale boarder | Euroley Road, Yanco 2703yancoag-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
| Yanco Agricultural High SchoolMale boarder | Euroley Road, Yanco 2703yancoag-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 30 |
Agricultural high school – boarder and day places male only
| School | Location and website | Number of places |
|---|---|---|
| Farrer Memorial Agricultural High SchoolMale boarder | 585 Calala Lane, Tamworth 2340farreragri-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 60 |
| Farrer Memorial Agricultural High SchoolMale day | 585 Calala Lane, Tamworth 2340farreragri-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 50 |
Agricultural high school – boarder and day places coeducational
| School | Location and website | Number of places |
|---|---|---|
| Hurlstone Agricultural High School Female boarder | Roy Watts Road, Glenfield 2167hurlstone-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 15 |
| Hurlstone Agricultural High School Male boarder | Roy Watts Road, Glenfield NSW 2167hurlstone-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 15 |
| Hurlstone Agricultural High School Day students | Roy Watts Road, Glenfield 2167hurlstone-h.schools.nsw.gov.auExternal link | 120 |
Virtual selective high school
| School | Location and website | Number of places |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora College* | In NSW rural host high schools aurora.nsw.edu.au |
Places available in selective high schools
There are 4248 places available in selective high schools across NSW for entry to Year 7 in 2023.
| School name | Number of places |
| Alexandria Park Community School + | 30 |
| Armidale Secondary College | 30 |
| Auburn Girls High School | 30 |
| Aurora College (Virtual) # | 90 |
| Baulkham Hills High School | 180 |
| Blacktown Boys High School | 30 |
| Blacktown Girls High School | 30 |
| Bonnyrigg High School | 60 |
| Caringbah High School | 150 |
| Chatswood High School | 60 |
| Elizabeth Macarthur High School | 60 |
| Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School (Boarder places) | 60 |
| Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School (Day places) | 50 |
| Fort Street High School | 150 |
| Girraween High School | 120 |
| Gorokan High School | 30 |
| Gosford High School | 180 |
| Grafton High School | 30 |
| Granville Boys High School | 30 |
| Hornsby Girls High School | 120 |
| Hurlstone Agricultural High School (Day places) | 120 |
| Hurlstone Agricultural High School (Female boarder) | 15 |
| Hurlstone Agricultural High School (Male boarder) | 15 |
| James Ruse Agricultural High School | 120 |
| Karabar High School | 30 |
| Kooringal High School | 30 |
| Macquarie Fields High School | 90 |
| Merewether High School | 180 |
| Moorebank High School | 60 |
| Normanhurst Boys High School | 120 |
| North Sydney Boys High School | 150 |
| North Sydney Girls High School | 150 |
| Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus | 120 |
| Parramatta High School | 60 |
| Peel High School | 30 |
| Penrith High School | 150 |
| Prairiewood High School | 60 |
| Richmond High School – Richmond Agricultural College | 30 |
| Rose Bay Secondary College + | 60 |
| Ryde Secondary College | 60 |
| Sefton High School | 88 |
| Smiths Hill High School | 120 |
| St George Girls High School | 150 |
| Sydney Boys High School | 180 |
| Sydney Girls High School | 150 |
| Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus * | 60 |
| Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus * | 60 |
| Sydney Technical High School | 150 |
| Tempe High School + | 60 |
| Yanco Agricultural High School (Female boarder) | 30 |
| Yanco Agricultural High School (Male boarder) | 30 |
Note:
+ Alexandria Park CS, Tempe HS and Rose Bay Secondary College have targeted places available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
* Sydney Secondary College Balmain and Leichhardt campuses offer places in Years 7-10. Students from these campuses will generally go to Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay Campus for Years 11 and 12.
# Only students who will be enrolled in Year 7 in government high schools in rural areas may apply for Aurora College, the virtual selective high school. This excludes fully and partially selective high schools. See the list of participating schools.
Application information (Yr 7 2024)
Check Key dates in the placement process.
Parents of students in NSW public schools, non-government schools, home study and interstate or overseas schools can apply for placement.
Students are offered placement in selective schools based on academic merit and the order of school choices.
Academic merit is determined by the results of Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and Writing tests in the Selective High School Placement Test. School assessment scores are no longer required and are not included in the assessment of academic merit for placement.
A selection committee is convened to determine placement of students. The selection committee may ask the current primary school or the parents to provide other evidence of academic merit such as an IQ report.
Age and Year
Year 7 entry in 2024
Students will usually have been born between 1 January 2011 and 1 August 2012 to enter Year 7 in selective high schools in 2024.
They should be in Year 5 when applying in 2022, and in Year 6 when they sit the placement test in 2023.
Year 7 entry in 2025
Students will usually have been born between 1 January 2012 and 1 August 2013 to enter Year 7 in selective high schools in 2025.
They should be in Year 5 when applying in 2023, and in Year 6 when they sit the placement test in 2024.
Students outside the usual age range
If the student is outside the usual age range or is in a school Year other than Year 5 when applying, parents should explain the reasons. The selection committee may ask for further information when considering the application.
The selection committee may:
- decide not to accept students who are much older than the usual age range set out above
- request an interview if your child is very young, to determine any special requirements
- consider that students doing the test for a second time may have gained an unfair advantage from their previous experience with the test
- decide not to accept students who will be in Year 7 when sitting the test and who are seeking to repeat Year 7 in a selective high school.
Students already in Year 7 at the time of the test can be considered for placement in Year 7 the following year only if there are extenuating circumstances. A full explanation, supporting documentation and the principal’s support for the repetition are required. The selection committee will determine whether such applications will be accepted.
If parents are seeking acceleration from Year 5 in 2023 to Year 7 in 2024, the applicant must provide evidence of support from the school principal. The selection committee will then consider the appropriateness of acceleration.
Siblings
Entry to selective high schools is based on individual academic merit so the placement of one twin or triplet does not guarantee the placement of another. Siblings of twins or triplets will be offered a place at the same selective school only if they both have scores that are high enough to qualify. However, selection committees for boarders can give priority to students who have siblings currently attending the same school.
Where younger or older siblings of students placed in a partially selective high school are not in the intake area for that school, parents may apply to the school for out-of-area enrolment at that school. There is no guarantee that their application for out-of-area enrolment of siblings will be successful, as the school may not have the capacity to accept non-local students. Parents should consider this when choosing selective high schools.
Residency requirements
A student must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or a New Zealand citizen to receive an offer and enrol in a selective high school. Information on Australian citizenship is available from the Department of Immigration and Border ProtectionExternal link.
- Applicants whose child does not meet residency requirements may apply if they expect to meet them before mid-August when initial offers are made.
- Applicants must show evidence of residency requirements being met before they can be offered a place in a selective high school, if the child qualifies.
- Applicants whose child does not meet residency requirements at the time of initial offers but receive the visa grant before the end of the first term in the placement year can send a copy to the Unit so the child can be placed on a reserve list to wait for a vacancy.
- Applicants who do not meet the residency requirements (including those who hold diplomatic visas) but who qualify for entry on academic grounds, can appeal if extenuating circumstances apply.
School principals are required to check claims of residency status and citizenship against school records. All successful applicants will be required to show original documentation, such as a birth certificate, Australian Citizenship certificate or permanent residency visa, before enrolment can be finalised by the school.
A student’s family must be living in NSW by the beginning of the school year of entry.
Offers will be cancelled if the placement was based on false or misleading information.
Residential address
If placed, students must be living in NSW at the beginning of the school year.
Interstate and overseas applicants
You can apply while you are temporarily living interstate or overseas. If possible, your child should be in NSW to sit the test. Find out more about the interstate and overseas process.
If your child is enrolled in a NSW school but cannot sit the test because of being temporarily overseas or interstate, you should use the Illness/misadventure procedure.
Special considerations
To promote fair and equitable access for all high potential and gifted students, special consideration will be given to students from low socio-educational advantage backgrounds, Aboriginal students, rural and remote students, and gifted learners with disability. See more information about equity placement.
Parents may be asked to provide documentary evidence of cultural background if it is not confirmed by school records.
Disability, medical or behavioural condition
Parents may request reasonable adjustments for disability for the Selective High Schools Placement Test when applying, if the student has such adjustments at school.
Parents must disclose information about medical conditions and medication prior to the Selective High School Placement Test.
Illness or misadventure
Parents can submit a request for special consideration of illness or misadventure where an event has affected a child’s performance on the test or has caused the child to miss the test. The request must be submitted within 5 working days of the test, by 11 May 2023.
Choosing selective high schools
Applicants can choose up to three selective high schools. Choose the selective high schools and the order of schools carefully. School choices can be changed up to 11 June 2023. Changes of school choice cannot be made after this date or after outcomes are released.
Find out more about boarding at agricultural high schools, about Aurora College virtual secondary school for rural or remote students and about The Conservatorium High School.
Fees and financial assistance
There are no extra fees for attending a selective high school, unless your child is a boarder. Schools may ask for contributions towards the cost of materials for some subjects, as do other government high schools.
Financial assistance may be available for rural or remote students applying for boarder placement.
Enrolment requirements
The NSW Department of Education has a responsibility to assess and manage any risk of harm to its staff or students. This includes assessing and managing risks posed to students or staff at a school by any student. Where relevant, such situations will be dealt with in accordance with the Department of Education enrolment policies and procedures.
To finalise enrolment at a selective high school you must:
- have received an ‘Authority to attend’ letter from the Selective Education Team
- present original documents to the school to prove Australian permanent residency or citizenship of Australia or New Zealand and proof of residency.
Offers will be cancelled if placement is made on the basis of false or misleading information.
Making an application
To apply for placement in a selective high school follow the application process.
Test information
The Selective High School Placement Test has been designed to allow students to demonstrate their abilities across a range of areas, including reading, mathematical reasoning, thinking skills and writing.
In 2023 and 2024, the placement test is in a paper-based format.
Test structure
The test consists of four sections and is structured as follows:
| Section | Minutes | Questions | Type | Weighting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 40 | 30 | Multiple choice | 25% | |
| Mathematical reasoning | 40 | 35 | Multiple choice | 25% | |
| Thinking skills | 40 | 40 | Multiple choice | 35% | |
| Writing | 30 | 1 | Open response | 15% |
Reading Test
The reading test consists of 30 questions. Students have 40 minutes to complete the test. The questions are based on a diverse range of texts and assess a range of reading skills. The answers are all multiple choice.
The reading test questions are based on different genres such as non-fiction, fiction, poetry, magazine articles and reports.
Mathematical Reasoning Test
The mathematical reasoning test consists of 35 questions. Students have 40 minutes to complete the test. The answers are all multiple choice.
The mathematical reasoning test assesses the student’s ability to apply mathematical understanding and knowledge to problems, with questions drawn from a range of mathematical content areas.
Calculators are not used in the mathematical reasoning test.
Thinking skills Test
The thinking skills test consists of 40 questions. Students have 40 minutes to complete the test. The answers are all multiple choice.
The thinking skills test assesses the student’s ability in critical thinking and problem solving. There are a range of different question types in the test.
No previous knowledge is required for this test.
Writing Test
The writing test consists of a topic about which students must write according to the instructions. Students have 30 minutes to complete the test. The test assesses the student’s creativity of ideas and ability to write effectively for a purpose and audience. The test will also assess grammar, punctuation, spelling and vocabulary. Students who do not address the topic in their writing, regardless of fluency or creativity, will receive low marks.
Students use pencils to show their answers. Multiple choice tests are marked by computer.
Preparing for the test
Students will be more comfortable with the test process if they are familiar with the format of the test, the types of questions and what the answer sheet looks like. Practice test questions and answer sheets are provided to help students become familiar with the test and to practise answering quickly. However, the Department of Education does not recommend any specific coaching for the test.
Results of practice tests do not show how a student will score in their Selective High School Placement Test. The selection committee will not consider scores on any type of practice tests.